Chapter 31
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: The Weapon's Master (2)
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The plot thickens.
If ever there was an idiom to describe my situation, that would be it.
Things just kept getting more and more absurd.
Shin Jia was convinced I was an elf.
Ha Siyeon thought I was an angel.
Yuhwas misconception was a little less extreme than theirs, but she still believed I was hiding my true power.
I could let Yuhwas misunderstanding slide, since Id partially intended for it to happen anyway.
But the situations with Shin Jia and Ha Siyeon were completely beyond my control.
Even if I wanted to clear up the misunderstanding, there was no way to do it.
The only way to correct their assumptions was to reveal my secret: that I dont have a status window.
So, I decided not to clear things up.
It wasn't as if their misconceptions were harming me.
...I see.
However, Pi Jinhos misunderstanding was a bit different from the other three.
His mistakethe assumption that I possessed the [Weapon's Master] traitwas something I could correct without having to reveal my lack of a status window.
Failing to clear it up could have negative consequences for me in the future.
That was why I had tried to correct his misunderstanding.
That day. The necklace you held in your hand was named the Acme of Weaponry.
But now, the situation had changed.
It has only one requirement for use: the user must possess the Weapons Master trait.
Should I call it a mistake, or had I fallen into a trap?
Or perhaps I had simply underestimated Pi Jinho.
It is crystal clear that you possess the Weapon's Master trait.
Item usage restrictions in this world are broadly divided into three categories.
Stats, race, and traits.
Traits that ignore stat requirements have appeared from time to time.
But never in history has there been a trait that could ignore racial or trait-based restrictions.
That was why Shin Jia was so certain I was an elf, without a shred of doubt.
It was common sense in this world.
For a while, I intended to just watch from the sidelines. I thought I would gradually build your trust by helping with your training, and then we could talk again. But if the Weapons Master has truly begun to awaken, that changes everything. I can no longer stand by and watch.
The same logic applied to me holding the Acme of Weaponry this time.
The moment I held that necklace, I became someone who possessed the [Weapon's Master] trait.
On top of that, my recent acquisition of the Engraving Flame had made the situation even more complicated.
They say that when the Weapon's Master trait begins to awaken, the owners mana is unlocked.
The penalty of [Weapon's Master] had kept my mana completely sealed, but now, it was as if those blocked vessels had been cleared wide open.
And the Engraving Flame, coursing through my entire body, had burned away the impurities in those vessels, naturally forming a path for mana to flow.
Seeing those cleansed vessels, Pi Jinho had thought to himself
Ah. The awakening has begun.
I know it must be difficult to trust an instructor youve only known for a month. I understand that completely. But please, trust me.
There was no way to dispel this misunderstanding. No matter what excuse I came up with, it would go in one of Pi Jinhos ears and out the other.
In the end, it had become a situation similar to the ones with Shin Jia and Ha Siyeon.
Unless I revealed all my secrets, including my lack of a status window, there was no way to clear up Pi Jinhos misunderstanding.
To begin awakening at the young age of twenty, and on top of that, to unlock elemental mana. Kang Seoyul, you are undoubtedly a genius who far surpasses my wife.
Even if I did reveal all my secrets, he might not believe me.
Right now, Pi Jinho was ecstatic at the appearance of a new Weapon Master who could succeed his wifeno, a prodigy who would surpass her.
In his current state, he wouldn't even pretend to listen to any excuse I offered.
Please. Allow me to be your pacemaker.
Pi Jinho bowed his head.
Ultimately, there was only one path I could choose.
...Yes. Youre right, Instructor. I do possess the Weapons Master trait.
Whatever happens, happens.
What difference would one more misunderstanding make at this point?
Since its come to this, I might as well accept Instructor Pi Jinhos dedicated training.
Thank you for trusting me.
Pi Jinho gripped my shoulders. His hold was neither weak nor strong.
I will be sure to repay that trust.
His eyes, like steel, held a powerful force as they stared directly into mine.
Then, before it gets any later, lets return to the training room and begin our morning session.
Pi Jinho turned around.
Starting tomorrow, come to my personal training room, not the public one. Ill send you the location later.
The profile of Pi Jinhos face, glimpsed over his shoulder, was flushed with elation.
Yes, I understand.
And just like that, I became Instructor Pi Jinhos official disciple.
* * *
Classical music flowed through a resplendent room that was the epitome of extravagance.
At the center of the room, a man sat tilted back in a chair, lost in thought.
His eyes were cold, his hair and clothes immaculate. His expression was consumed by a deep anger.
Im sorry.
At the mans feet, a woman knelt with her head bowed low. Cold sweat poured down her entire body, and her breathing was ragged.
One minute and forty-nine seconds.
The man, who had his eyes closed, slowly opened them and looked down askance at the woman at his feet.
Your greed delayed my plan by one minute and forty-nine seconds.
His gaze was indifferent, as if he were looking at an ant on the street.
I-Im sorry! P-Please, just this once... Just this once, please forgive me!
The woman prostrated herself, still on her knees.
Forgiveness. Hmm. Forgiveness, you say.
The mans gaze grew even colder.
A mere ant has ruined my perfect plan. If you were me, could you forgive that?
R-Ruined! The objective was achieved! The plan was only slightly delayed, you cant say it was ru!
But the womans words were cut short.
*Squelch!*
My plan is a musical score. All of you are merely notes upon it. You have a duty to move perfectly under my direction.
The womans head was already flying through the air.
I do not forgive dissonance. Ever.
The mans hand was covered in the womans blood.
Tsk. A note should simply act like a note and follow my commands.
The man clicked his tongue and flicked the blood from his hand onto the floor.
Is anyone out there?
Yes.
Someone entered the room.
Clean this up.
Understood.
With that, the man turned his attention back to the gentle melody of the classical music.
Has it been decided who will infiltrate the Korean Superhuman Academy?
Yes. Allen-nim has decided to go.
Oho. Hermit, is it?
Hermit, the recluse.
So he had finally decided to make a move.
The boss has made a momentous decision.
The man smiled with satisfaction. Hermit was trustworthy.
That puts my mind at ease.
The mans expression grew serene.
At this sight, his subordinate let out a sigh of relief.
I will take my leave now.
Go.
The subordinate, having cleaned up the corpse and blood, bowed his head and murmured.
El Perze enen dorma.
The man, still leaning back in his chair, gave a casual wave of his hand.
El Perze enen dorma.
* * *
Mondays classes were all over.
Seoyul! Lets have dinner together!
Ha Siyeon waved as she approached me. Perfect timing, as there was something I needed to tell her.
I have plans today.
I had a prior engagement with Instructor Pi Jinho.
Plans?
Yeah.
I leaned in and whispered into Ha Siyeons ear.
It might take a while, so I dont think I can help you with your training today.
Oh, that's fine. Ill just focus on physical conditioning today.
Sorry.
I told you, its fine. See you tomorrow.
With that, Ha Siyeon left the classroom.
Kim Cheoljin and Choi Jihoon were waiting for her at the classroom door.
What did you guys talk about?
Huh? Oh, just about getting dinner together.
Kim Cheoljin and Ha Siyeon left the classroom first.
...
Choi Jihoon stared at me for a good three seconds before turning away.
It seemed he really didnt like me.
Well, the feeling was mutual, so it didnt matter.
I smirked and stood up from my seat. As I walked out of the classroom, I checked the message from Pi Jinho again.
[Come to this location. I have something to give you.]
A map was attached to the message.
This was probably the personal training room he mentioned this morning.
I headed toward the location indicated on the map.
That must be it.
After walking for about ten minutes, I arrived at a building that looked like my destination.
It was a very sleek building, looking more like a research lab than a training facility.
Youre here.
The instructor was waiting for me in front of the building.
Come in. The item is inside.
Yes.
I followed the instructor into the building.
The interior was just as sleek. Not only was the decor impressive, but there were also many incredible-looking, state-of-the-art devices.
Maybe its because this is a training room for instructors.
Its completely different from the student training rooms.
Here we are.
The instructor stopped in front of a door marked No. 4.
From now on, youll be training here, so be sure to remember the location.
Yes, I will.
This must be the training room assigned to the instructor.
He placed his palm on the authentication system next to the door.
[Authentication successful.]
*Hiss*
The door slowly opened, revealing the scene inside.
Wow.
An exclamation escaped my lips before I could stop it.
I imagined this is what the inside of a spaceship in a sci-fi movie would feel like.
First, we need to register your biometric code in the access data. Place your hand here and stand still.
Ah, yes sir.
I placed my palm where Instructor Pi Jinho indicated.
[Registering biometric code. 10%... 19%...]
[100%]
Done. You can take your hand off now.
It was instantaneous.
From now on, you can use this place whenever you need. Ill explain the details of how to use this room over time.
Huh? Really?
I could use this facility whenever I wanted?
Yes. 24 hours a day.
Wow...
This was incredible.
How much would it cost to rent a facility like this privately?
I couldnt even imagine.
Im glad you seem to like it.
Perhaps I was staring around too much like a country bumpkin.
The instructor smiled magnanimously, looking at me with a gentle expression.
I felt a little awkward and scratched the back of my head.
Take this. Its the first gift from a master to his disciple.
The instructor handed me a small box. It also had a very sci-fi look. I wondered what was inside.
Thank you.
I readily accepted the box.
But how do I open this thing?
Go on, open it. Press the button in the middle.
Ah.
I pressed the button on the box.
The box then began to transform like something out of Transformers.
No, it was less of a transformation and more like a seal being released.
...Is this what I think it is?
Inside the fully opened box lay a single necklace.
Yes.
It was a necklace that looked identical to the one the instructor was wearing.
The Acme of Weaponry. It is my wifes memento and the symbol of a Weapon Master. Its yours now.
The instructor smiled as he saw my bewildered expression.
That necklace will surely be of great help to you. Try it on.
...But.
Dont feel too burdened just because its a memento. Just think of it as having found its rightful owner.
Thats why I feel so sorry. Because Im not its rightful owner.
I dont have the Weapons Master trait.
Go on.
The atmosphere made it impossible to refuse.
...Yes. Ill use it well.
I gave a bitter smile and took the necklace in my hand. Then, I put it around my neck.
I felt a sense of peace wash over me.
Was this the necklaces effect?
It suits you.
The instructor smiled with satisfaction.
Now, try holding this spear.
He took two spears from the weapon rack and handed one to me.
A spear?
So suddenly?
I examined the spear he had given me.
Is this your first time with a spear?
Yes. This is the first time Ive ever held one.
I see.
It really was my first time ever holding a spear.
But for some reason, it felt familiar in my hands.
It was then.
Try to block this.
What?
*Whoosh!*
The instructor suddenly thrust his spear at me.
It was so sudden.
!
But what was even more sudden was the movement of my own body.
My hands, holding a spear for the first time in my life, gripped the shaft and moved with perfect ease.
It was as natural as water flowing downhill.
*Screeech! Ting!*
...Huh?
And in the next moment.
I was deflecting Instructor Pi Jinhos thrust.
Hahaha! I cant believe you reacted right from the start!
Instructor Pi Jinho suddenly burst into laughter.
If my wife could see this, shed be pounding her chest in frustration.
With an expression of pure joy, the instructor pointed at my spear.
I slowly turned my gaze in the direction Pi Jinhos finger was pointing.
Even I have never seen a flaming aura of the fire element before.
...
My spear was cloaked in red mana.
But that wasnt all.
...What is this?
The necklace on my chest, the Acme of Weaponry, was also glowing a brilliant red.